THE CERULLI COLLECTION OF ETHIOPIAN MANUSCRIPTS IN THE VATICAN APOSTOLIC LIBRARY

Abstract

^{This article examines the collection of Ethiopian manuscripts donated by Enrico Cerulli to the Vatican Apostolic Library in 1954. Acquired during his tenure in Italian East Africa, these manuscripts raise ethical and legal questions regarding their repatriation to Ethiopia under international treaties, such as the 1947 Peace Treaty. The text explores Cerulli’s dual role as a scholar and government official, highlighting both his contributions to Ethiopian studies and his controversial ties to Italian colonialism. The study analyzes the complexities surrounding the restitution of these manuscripts, considering ethical principles, international legal frameworks, and historical precedents, including the Vatican’s return of German manuscripts in 1816. The article concludes that contemporary trends in international law increasingly favor the restitution of cultural artifacts to their countries of origin, particularly in cases of historical injustices, such as armed conflicts and colonial occupations.}